Collapsible umbrella based animal restraint

ABSTRACT

This system comprises a platform used as a restraint for animals and pets which design is based on an umbrella like motion to collapse and expand for easy use, transport and storage. The platform will connect to any readily available generic harness having a ventral strap, collar strap, and girth strap which by the design of these components provides a secure point of connection between the animal&#39;s or pet&#39;s front legs and the center of the platform. The platform is circular in form with a centered connection point that uses the animal&#39;s own weight and position to prevent free movement. The animal or pet can sit or stand but is limited in directional movement by the connection between the platform and the harness. The platform includes a plurality of umbrella ribs that are installed on a portion of the main hub and are capable of being folded, a plurality of support ribs respectively supporting the platform ribs, a inner locking hub to which an end of each of the support ribs is hingedly coupled and which uncouples from the main hub to fold or unfold the platform.

This application claims priority from provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/270,578, filing date on Jul. 13, 2009.

REFERENCES CITED

Pat. No. Title Issue date 4,147,129 Animal platform Apr. 3, 19794,173,974 Restraining means Nov. 13, 1979 4,316,433 Animal washing standFeb. 23, 1982 4,693,212 Animal restraint apparatus and method Sep. 15,1987 5,085,174 Pet trainer Feb. 4, 1992 5,092,592 Sports training deviceMar. 3, 1992 5,103,769 Device for deterring pets Apr. 14, 1992 5,581,853Device for restraining prisoners Dec. 10, 1996 5,894,748 Portablerestraint and confinement device Apr. 20, 1999 6,499,436 Portablerestraint and confinement device Dec. 31, 2002

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

“Not applicable”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a portable animal and pet restraintthat will fold in an umbrella like fashion for transportation, and whenexpanded, relies on the animal's weight upon the platform to inhibitmovement from the chosen location.

2. Description of Related Art

Many methods are used to restrain pets including cages or tethers.Though both are portable cages can be bulky and cumbersome to set up,while tethers of any material can be hazardous to the animal and others.In addition tethers must be fastened to an object or staked to theground. When indoors this is not an option and often times the ground isnot suitable for proper staking, such as when it is too wet or rocky.Platforms that restrain the animal by using its own weight also existbut have not been design to be light and portable while maintaining thestructural integrity required to resist the movements of the animal.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

The prior art does not present a light, strong, portable restraint thatdoes not require a tether or staking. It is the object of the inventionto provide a pet restraint to fill this niche. It is also the intent toprovide a restraint system that will fold into a compact area tofacilitate easy transportation of the platform. This system is usefulfor animals and pets of varying sizes.

This system comprises a platform used as a restraint for animals andpets which design is based on an umbrella like motion to collapse andexpand for easy use, transport and storage. The platform will connect toany readily available generic harness having a ventral strap, collarstrap, and girth strap which by the design of these components providesa secure point of connection between the animal's or pet's front legsand the center of the platform. The platform is circular in form with acentered connection point that uses the animal's own weight and positionto prevent free movement. The animal or pet can sit or stand but islimited in directional movement by the connection between the platformand the harness.

The platform includes a plurality of umbrella ribs that are installed ona portion of the main hub and are capable of being folded, a pluralityof support ribs respectively supporting the platform ribs, a innerlocking hub to which an end of each of the support ribs is hingedlycoupled and which uncouples from the main hub to fold or unfold theplatform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of one of the eight primary rib 6 and stretcher 5assemblies which are hingedly connected to the top notch 4 and runner 3respectively. This assembly is in the collapsed state. When collapsedthe platform is in the portable state.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the top notch 4 showing the locking cogreceptacles 9.

FIG. 3 is the top view of the locking ring showing the locking knob 4,chain fastener 12, and locking cogs 10.

FIG. 4 is a view of the same components in FIG. 1 but in the expandedstate. When expanded the platform is in the functional state.

FIG. 5 represents the functional state of the frame when all eight ofthe primary rib 6 and stretcher 5 assemblies are fully expanded.

FIG. 6 is a view of the nylon cover 8 that is connected to the primaryribs 6 and stretched by the stretchers 5 when the frame fully expandedas shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows the frame FIG. 5 comprising all eight primary rib 6 andstretcher 5 assemblies fully expanded with the cover 8 attached andstretched.

FIG. 8 is a view of the complete platform in a collapsed state.

FIG. 9 is a view of the platform in the expanded state attached to theharness of a pet.

FIG. 10 is a view of the stay 14, the harness D-ring 13, and the chainD-ring 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The platform is comprised of a frame FIG. 5 with the cover 8. Aplurality of primary ribs 6 are connected to the top notch 4. The runner3 connects to a plurality of stretchers 5. The stretchers use a hingedconnection to the runner 3 on one end and another hinged connection to apivot point on the primary ribs 6. The runner 3 slides into the topnotch 4 and is locked into place by the locking ring 2. The locking ring2 spins freely on the runner 3 until locked and has an opening to allowfor the connection of the chain 1 to the top of the runner 3 via thechain fastener 12. Thus, as the runner 3 is moved into the top notch,the stretchers move down and out pushing against the primary ribs 6. Theprimary ribs 6 are moved up against the cover 8 until the cover 8 isstretched against the top of the frame FIG. 5. In this fully expandedstate the top of the runners 3 and the locking ring 2 are flush with thetop of the top notch 4. The locking ring 2 is then turned in a clockwisemotion using the locking ring knob 11 to engage the locking cogs 10 onthe locking ring 2 with their corresponding cog receptacles 9 located inthe top notch 4 thus, locking the frame FIG. 5 in an open position. Tounlocked frame the locking ring 2 is turned in a counter clockwisemotion releasing the locking cogs 10. The runner 3 is moved upward outof the top notch 4 releasing the tension on the stretchers 5 andsubsequently pulling the primary ribs 6 down and inward to close theplatform. The cover 8 folds along the ribs in an umbrella like fashionFIG. 8. Once the platforms is expanded and locked the chain fastener 12is attached to the chain D-ring 14 while the harness D-ring 13 isattached to a generic pet harness between the animal's legs FIG. 9.

The description above refers to particular embodiments of the presentinvention, it will be understood that many modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims areintended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scopeand spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Collapsible Umbrella Based Animal Restraint,comprising; a plurality of primary ribs extending from a hub or topnotch, the plurality of primary ribs assuming an open position where theplurality of ribs are extended by secondary ribs or stretchers; aplurality of stretchers, each having a first end pivotally coupled tothe hub or top notch and a second end pivotally coupled to one of theprimary ribs; at least one stretcher having a first end pivotallycoupled to a rib, and a second end pivotally coupled to the hub; whereinthe plurality of primary ribs are locked in the open position based onlocking either a secondary rib or stretcher in place. a plurality ofprimary ribs extending from a hub or top notch that when expandedprovide a platform to restrain an animal. a plurality of secondary ribsor stretchers, each having a first end pivotally coupled to the hub ortop notch and a second end pivotally coupled to one of the primary ribsthat when extended provide a platform to restrain an animal;
 2. Theplatform connects to any readily available generic harness having aventral strap, collar strap, and girth strap which by the design ofthese components provide a secure point of connection between theanimal's front legs and provides a platform to restrain an animal. 3.The animal's weight upon the platform prevents directional movement andreinforces the expansion of the apparatus thus restraining the animal.4. The spirit of the design relies on principles established in existingumbrella designs consisting of ribs and stretcher but have not beenapplied to a collapsible animal restraint device. This applicationproduces a unique invention not obvious to persons skilled in themanufacturer of animal restraint devices.